PRESS RELEASE - Cycling Community Joins Widow of Matt Keenan To Replace Memorial Burned By Arsonist

PRESS RELEASE - Cycling Community Joins Widow of Matt Keenan To Replace Memorial Burned By Arsonist

Contact: Will Moore, Policy Counsel, Circulate San Diego - 858-210-7999 | [email protected]

Matt Keenan was killed in 2021 at the age of 42 by a wrong-way driver while he was riding on Camino Del Rio South in San Diego. A “Ghost Bike” – a common a memorial to cyclists killed in traffic violence like Matt – was installed at the location where he was killed. But on January 5th, someone set fire to Matt Keenan's memorial Ghost Bike and destroyed it.

Thanks to the generosity of multiple organizations and individuals, Matt's wife Laura received donations for a replacement bike, assistance in preparing and installing the ghost bike, and support for fundraising efforts. As a result, on Sunday, January 28th at 10:30 am at 2100 Block of Camino del Rio South Laura and allies from the Cycling community were able to act swiftly to install a new ghost bike memorial and banner for Matt.

The replacement memorial Ghost Bike was donated and prepared by San Diego Bicycle Collective, along with support from Families for Safe Streets San Diego, Bike SD, San Diego County Bicycle Coalition and Circulate San Diego.

Joined by San Diego City Council Members Raul Campillo and Stephen Whitburn, and La Mesa City Council Member Colin Parent, Laura Keenan addressed those who came to the rededication of the memorial.  Said Keenan, “I’m so grateful to have Matt’s ghost bike memorial replaced and for all the community support today. The most fitting memorial would be for San Diego to fully commit to implementing its Promise of vision zero so this street - and so many others - are made safe.”

Of Camino del Rio South, the street where Matt was killed, Keenan went on to say, “Being here today is a reminder of how dangerous this street is and how preventable Matt’s death was. We shouldn’t have to worry about protecting these traffic death memorials because our loved ones should still be alive.”

Laura Keenan and Matt Keenan's mother address community members at rededication of memorial - Photo By Circulate San Diego

Completed Ghost Bike Reinstallation – Photo By Circulate San Diego

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About Circulate San Diego

Circulate San Diego is a regional nonprofit think tank dedicated to advancing mobility and making the region a better place to move, work, learn and play. Our work focuses on creating great mobility choices, more walkable and bikeable neighborhoods, and land uses that promote sustainable growth. For more information, go to www.circulatesd.org.

About Families for Safe Streets San Diego

Families for Safe Streets San Diego is a group of families who have lost loved ones to traffic crashes or been affected ourselves. Through our stories and advocacy, we seek physical improvements on our streets, policy changes and the rapid implementation of Vision Zero. For more information, go to https://www.circulatesd.org/families_for_safe_streets_san_diego.

A downloadable pdf version of this Press Release can be found here. 

Coverage:

Family, supporters of killed bicyclist install new ‘ghost bike’ memorial after alleged arson.  San Diego Union Tribune, Jan. 28, 2024

New bike memorial put up for San Diego father after last one was torched. CBS 8 San Diego, Jan. 28, 2024